GENDER STEREOTYPES IN TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES: UNIVERSITY OF A CORUÑA CASE STUDY

Engineering and Architecture students are 45% of all at University of A Coruña. That means a strong showing in technological studies. Nevertheless, although 50.2% of UDC students are woman (2011/2012) data claims a great gender segregation rate: whereas Health Science knowledge area has got 82.1% of women for instance, Engineering and Architecture have got only 33.5%. In addition, there is another finding concerning technological studies: degrees related to design as Architecture and Industrial Design Engineering show gender parity, so far from other studies like Computer Engineering or Public Works Engineering where percentages are critical, to reach 7.3% in Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. Moreover, there is no data evolution: this problem increases year after year.

Why women still do not chose technical studies and, if they do it, only those which are related with artistic skills? An analysis of this question it is presented in this work. Career choice motivates one towards achieving aims in life, but gender stereotypes can limit this decision. Gender self-concept and occupational compatibility is social phenomenon which leads to students’ -and consequently- workforce final segregation.